Q: Everyone says word-of-mouth marketing is the best form of marketing, but how do you actually create it?
A: Word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing has always been very powerful, but today’s technology and culture make it a particularly ripe time to harvest its power. The primary way to get the most out of...

Earlier this year, research firm The NPD Group confirmed what many in the quick-service industry have known for years: The breakfast wars are real, and there’s more at stake then a Waffle Taco or a better cup of coffee. NPD’s “A Look into the Future of Foodservice” report found that the quick-...

It’s hard for aficionados in any field to avoid the desert-island question. For music mavens, it boils down to, “Which album would you take with you, if you could only take one?” Movie lovers have to decide which film they’d want to watch, possibly in perpetuity—a question that bears careful...

Restaurant redesigns and renovations are a big undertaking for quick-serve brands and often involve a certain level of risk. But renovations are also increasingly appealing for operators looking to improve their store design and environment and the financial benefits that might come with it....

On November 15, 1969, Dave Thomas put 20-plus years of restaurant experience into the opening of his very own fast-food joint, Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers. That first restaurant, located in Columbus, Ohio, set a precedent for quick-service burger chains by capitalizing on a promise to...

It might seem like quick-serve concepts and hospitals are headed for an epic breakup, as some brands have come under fire for their presence in places meant to heal. The American Hospital Association labeled unhealthy foods “environmental inconsistencies,” whether they’re served out of vending...

Capitalizing on consumer demand for healthy options, Jamba Juice accelerated the rollout of its new fresh-squeezed juicing platform, completing the nationwide expansion by June 2, several months ahead of schedule.
To ensure optimal freshness, Jamba Juice enhanced its supply chain to minimize food...

In honor of Whataburger's 30th anniversary of its popular Fancy Ketchup cups, Whataburger is hosting a #FancySKETCHUP event on Twitter, where Whataburger fans can have their self-portrait drawn using none other than Whataburger's Fancy Ketchup. For a chance to participate, fans must tweet @...

Alghanim Industries and The Wendy’s Company announced today the signing of a Master Franchise Agreement aimed at expanding the Wendy’s brand in the Middle East. This deal reinforces Alghanim Industries’ strategy to partner with international food and beverage franchises and build on the company’...

Tropical Smoothie Café introduces a new LTO line of hand-crafted artisan tacos, as well as a smoothie packed with wholesome ingredients. The new products can be enjoyed February 24 through April 26 to offer fans unique food and smoothie options for the beginning of spring.

With the opening of Modmarket Preston Hollow Village, there are now three farm-fresh eateries in the Dallas area and 12 across Colorado and Texas. The newest location joins Modmarket Flower Mound (opened September 2014) and Modmarket Plano (opened October 2014) in Texas.

The Food Business School (FBS), the new center for executive and graduate education of The Culinary Institute of America, today opened registration for its Spring 2015 session and announced a suite of innovative educational programs taught by expert faculty. The first business school dedicated...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

When fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen Inc. debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last April, the Plano, Texas–based Mediterranean-style eatery recorded its initial public offering at $87.5 million. Satisfying an investor appetite for investments within the trendy fast-casual space, Zoës’ strong...